What to pack to wear after a c section

[kmkkkkkk]

What do people wear in hospital after a c section it's my first time and am clueless on what to take

After I had mine I was numb from the waist down for about a day or so and in hospital for three days. I think I mostly wore massive pants and a nightie. Because you haven’t given birth in the usual manner you might suffer some blood loss. You will need industrial strength sanitary towels and massive pants to hold them all in. Lots of massive pants. And just nighties really. Did I mention the pants?

Good luck with your birth and new baby!

I've had 2 sections, 1 emergency with DS1 and a planned 3 weeks ago with DS2. Agree with above, big nickers that are high waisted & sit well away from the wound are a must. I wore a nightie which was best as you have to have a catheter bag for a while until you get feeling back in your legs to go to the toilet yourself. I wore a dress and leggins last time but this time I've struggled with leggins as any sort of clothing seems to make my lower belly feel tender and sore. Big baggy hareem pants are the only trousers I've worn so far. My legs and feet swelled both times, so much so that I couldn't fit my slippers on them the first time so 2nd time I took crocs which worked fine. 3 yrs ago the surgical stockings covered the whole foot so flip flops were useless but this time they had a hole at the toes so flip flops would be ok!! Postnatal wards seem to be hotter than the sun so couple that with surgical stockings I just wore a knee length nursing friendly dress during the day, with a cardigan, although the first day just stayed in the nightie but by day 2&3 I wanted to put some clothes on. My key points would be something loose to be kind to the wound and in case it is hot there, and something breastfeeding friendly if you're thinking of breastfeeding and massive underwear. Good luck

@SomethingAboutYou thank you both that's been really helpful 😊😊x also I was told by the woman on the phone from the birth choices clinic that I would only be staying one night after my c section was there a reason for you staying 3 or has it changed now

I had an emergency section and ended up staying for a week after, baby and I were both poorly as it had been a difficult birth up until I had the section.

I would pack for two nights just in case and I’d leave out extra clothes at home to be brought in if need be.

Giant pants are where it’s at and I wore mine for a couple of months after. I wore a nightie for the first few days and then I was able to wear pyjamas, the soft stretchy type. I took a big pair of maternity leggings for the trip home so at least I looked dressed. After that I lived in soft pjs and big pants until I felt able to get out and about.

I was shocked by the bleeding after, I thought it would be like a period, but it was very heavy at the start, so make sure you get maternity pads and not just sanitary towels.

We had a gentle introduction into the world mainly because we had a rough start together and dressed comfortably for as long as we needed to. Just be kind to yourself and good luck!

Definitely the biggest possible pants you can find...they must sit 'much' higher than your wound. Apart from that, anything loose around the waist

I had a planned c section and was discharged 22 hours later but you will need loose fitting clothes and big Bertha knickers so they don't rub the scar 🤣

@from2metersthrowmeasweet did you bleed a lot afterwards I didn't even know that that happens until someone just mentioned it the consultant never said anything about it to me

Mine was almost 20 years ago but knowing now and what's available now compared to then I have 2 words for you

Tena pants!

Get the granny pants ones rather than bikini style very high waisted but actually very soft with no hard seams or waistband or leg openings which will help with catheter and they should cope with a lot of blood loss too plus if necessary.

Nightdress rather than pj's - again you don't want a hard waistband but you will want covered up and if you're planning on bf then get one that opens for such.

With a section it takes longer for your milk to come in so be aware of that.

Big warm cardi or wrap, it's hot on the wards but can be chilly in the corridors (which you may spend a fair bit of time walking down depending on where baby is in relation to you) and if you want/need to go down to the shop/s they're often near the main entrance and can be freezing area! Or even if you just want some fresh air!

Eye mask! Maybe consider ear plugs too. Hospitals are MURDER to get a rest in not least due to lights going on and off constantly, to allow hcps to see properly to meet other patients needs.

A comfy crop top type bra and breast pads - whether you're bf or not you'll still probably have tender breasts that need support when you're moving about and pads for any leaks

Stuff to make you feel "fresh" wipes, deodorant, dry shampoo, even that spray water you see advertised for holidays can all help, i had dd in winter and I still went through a shit load of face wipes to cool me down!

Good luck with it all

Big knockers and a nightie

Knickers! Big knickers, not knockers

Baggy sweat pants / pj bottoms so that the elastic doesn’t dig in to your belly. Oh and big pants !

@kmkkkkkk with my 1st (emergency section) we were in 5 days as DS had high infection markers that were slow coming down. 3 weeks ago with the planned section (no complications with pregnancy or baby, just a risk of rupture with previous c section scar due to adhesions in the way they had to cut me open 1st time) we were in 3 nights as DS came out and unexpectedly struggled with his oxygen saturation levels so had to go to the special care baby unit for 2 days to sort that out. They had told me 24 hours we'd be out if all was good but obviously nobody could have foreseen the issue with my baby. Another lady in the same bay as me was the same, 3 nights as her baby needed monitoring for the first 2 nights.
Hopefully you'll be out in 24hrs, but pack for a couple of days just in case, or have a spare set of everything ready at home for someone to bring it to you should you need it.
3 weeks on and I'm still bleeding, not much now but enough to be still using pads.

I got some XL knickers from primark and some cheap nighties. I did take nice loose bottoms and baggy t's with me for going home in make sure you pack maternity pads, they will provide some if you need them but the ones they have are like bricks haha. I didn't have majorly 'heavy' bleeding but there was enough to need pads for about a week or so.
We was in 2 nights but only because a few hours before the original home time DD was sick bright green, they was worried it was an infection so wanted to keep an eye on her.

If I have advice, take plenty of snacks, you'll 100% want them ones you're feeling 'normal'

As everyone says big knickers are a must as you don’t want anything on the wound.

A nighty is great as bending down to put pj bottoms on is a challenge and can be painful but get one that has buttons up the front so that if you are breast feeding, you can undo rather than hoik the whole thing up to get boob out.

To be honest, I was home after less than 24 hours so wore my loose pants and a T shirt, slip on shoes/slippers so no bending down.

Comfort & ease, also easily chucked in the washer and dryer with no fuss, same as baby’s clothes, nothing fancy, no clothes/outfits that can’t be slung in the washer, not ironed or thrown away when too heavily soiled.

Do not take under jeans.
Under bump = on the CS scar

Sports cap water bottle, so you can stick lying down
Lip balm - maternity wards are like the Sahara
Shower gel on a hook
Shoes you can get on without leaning down - beware that your feet may swell too

When you come out of recovery you will have your gown on but no underwear and will be sitting on what I can only describe as a puppy training pad. So when you do get up, there will be some blood loss (think of it as your on your period and the sensation of getting up in the morning) ... My husband was not prepared for that lol
I wore loose dresses and huge pants, I'm normally a 12 and brought size 16-18 in fact I still wear them now!
Boots do huge maternity pants (liken to a baguette) and take your own pillow for comfort over your tummy when traveling home.
I'm pregnant again and plan to pack many more snacks and drinks then I did last time, I was also home within 24 hours. Good luck!

Massive c section pants so the air can get to the wound to help heal and breastfeeding friendly nightie as I didn’t want pj bottoms rubbing or being difficult to get on/off

No I didn't bleed a lot really just like a normal period so just used normal pads x

Tenner lady pants are great for after. Big knickers too.

I bled quite a lot. There was one memorable occasion where I got up off the bed and my fanny decided to unleash a waterfall of blood. It was all down my legs and all over the floor. The poor nurse had to clean me up.

I had the same with my first c section @MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig and the stupid surgical stockings were white This time round the stockings were dark green and the first thought I had when I saw them was "ooh that will hide the blood stains a bit better" I actually didn't have the same level of gushing this time so they remained stain free